Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung defended the German workforce against accusations that people are not working enough. Speaking to the Funke media group titles, he stated: “Work must be worthwhile, and then people work a lot. I see no reason to criticize the people in our country. I do not think that too little work is being done in Germany”.
Hartung also called for incentives for all income levels, suggesting measures such as requiring people to work an additional hour per week. He argued that the current tax burden is too high, and all citizens-from low to high earners-must be motivated. He added that this point should be taken into account when discussing economic relief.
Furthermore, the CEO criticized the government’s plan to launch a “spring of reforms”. He argued that a single ‘season’ would not be enough for the necessary changes. “Many things are not as simple as they are spoken” he emphasized. According to Hartung, the most crucial element is a sober assessment of the economic framework, particularly measured by private investment. He asserted that the government must continue changing the framework until Germany’s investment weakness is overcome.
In specific terms, Hartung demanded three key elements: a modern and reliable infrastructure, a manageable burden of taxes, levies, and bureaucracy on the economy, and a high-performing education system that spans from vocational crafts to the academic level.
Meanwhile, Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) threw support behind Hartung. She remarked, “I find it quite refreshing that we have an Economics Minister who has also worked in the private sector. I look forward to her work with great confidence”.